GREAT SHEEP TREK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22620, 7 January 1937, Page 8

GREAT SHEEP TREK

GISBOIINE AND COAST MOBS NOW ON THE ROAD - SUPPLY FOR THE WAIKATO GREATER THAN LAST YEAR [BV TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] GISBORNE, Wednesday The annual movement of breeding ewes from Gisborne and the Coast districts has begun, and during the next three months hundreds of thousands of sheep will he taken northwards. It is difficult to estimate the number which will he sent out of the district, for even the stock agents cannot supply reliable data. Last year, however, a calculation placed the figure at about 300,000, which was considered by many at the time a.s being much too high. After the season was over the Waikato calculation placed the number actually rereived from Gisborne and the Coast in Waikato centres aloiw at 250,000. In addition many thousands were sent to Hawke's Bay and even beyond as well as a few thousands to Canterbury. An increased number of sjieep is ex. I>ectcd to leave the district this season. M any thousands of wethers already hare gone north and to Hawke's Bay and about 10.000 breeding ewes are on the road, while thj first shipment of breeding ewes of the season will be made from Gihborne to-morrow when the Paknra takes over her seasonal sheep loadings. Her total shipments may approximate 70,000 sheep. I?ain delayed a start with the annual trek.